New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-05
QUESTIONS POURING IN.
WORK FOR THE INTERSTATE COM MISSION
APPEALs PoR RELIEF FROM THE SOUTH AND FROM
THE FAR WEST.

APPEALS PoR RELIEF FROM THE SOUTH AND FROM
THE FAR WEST.
WASHINGTON, April (SpeciaD.-The Interstate
Commissioners have had another busy day Doubt
less some of them by this time realize more fully than
heretofore the tremendous responsibilities devolved
on the Commission and the prodgious amount of
work which it will be required to do. Questions
have been already presented which were scarcely
limited much less discussed or considered by the
legislators who framed and enacted the law The
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce declared and the
Macon Chamber of Commerce through it's committee
to-day reiterated that the effect of tho enforcement
of the fourth section of the act would be to increase
through freight rates Is to 80 per cent without lower
ing local rates. In other words 1t will advance the
prices of commodities in the ratio and to the extent
mentioned. The Macon Committee well said that
this would the destruction of all commercial
interests in the South and the committee therefore
prayed that that section be not applied to Southern
railroads.
The committee to-day confronted by another
question which discussed when the bill was be-
fore Congress the effect of the legislation Ameri-
can railroads which brought into competition
with Canadian roads. Senator Do'ph presented the
request OF the Board OF Trade. OF Portland Ore,
that the Commission exercise its authority To ss-
pend or m,,dfy the long haul and short haul pro-
vision as to the Northern Pacific Railroad on the
ground of exceptional circumstances and conditions
that road il brought into competition with the
Canadian Pacific for through business to and from
Pacific ports The Portland Board OF Trade also called
roads for the freight business another reason why
the provision before mentioned should be odied or
suspended Senator Dolph also presented without
argument q series OF resolutions adopted by con-
vention of Boards OF Trade OF Washington Territory
These resolutions forth that the freight charges OF
the Oregon Navigation Company exorbitant and
ask the Commission to its authority to have them
reduced.
Vice President Smith, of the Louisville and Nash
VILE Railroad. submitted some additional statements
and arguments bearing the subject OF competition
between rail and water ToItes OF transportation az
Affected by the fourth section OF the law The river
men want to have their say this subject in oppos
ton to the position taken by the rr0ad interests and
through Representative ButterwOrth have asked an
opporfun Is TO submit their on tomorrow.
Another new question submitted to-day was whether
the act applies TO express companies. To this Chair
man Cooley in n letter TO G. neral Superintendent
Cheney the Canadian Express Company, replied 10
follows:
OF the Is inst requesting the decision OF tho
Commits upon question whether the Interstate Com
applies express cOmpanes has been laid before
Commission and duly considered III any express
pany desires be heard By the Commission The question
opportunity will be offered for the
but until such hearing IL applied Tor the Commission VIII as
sumo that the law does apply 10 such companies
The Commission to-day promulgated the following
rule
Applications the action OF the Comnisson
shall be which shall set forth the facts
which they founded and verified bv the oath OF the ap
plicants some authorized agent OF attorney.